A17643:491
Commentary upon the Epistle to the Romans
A commentary upon the Epistle of Saint Paul to the Romans, written in Latin by M. John Calvin, and newly translated into English by Christopher Rosdell preacher. Whereunto is added a necessary table for the better and more ready finding out of certain principal matters contained in this workA commentarie vpon the Epistle of Saint Paul to the Romanes, written in Latine by M. Iohn Caluin, and newely translated into Englishe by Christopher Rosdell preacher. Whereunto is added a necessarie table for the better and more readie finding out of certayne principall matters conteyned in this worke
London: printed by Thomas Dawson for John Harison and George Bishop, 1583London: printed by Thomas Dawson for Iohn Harison and George Bishop, 1583
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
4 By the body of Christ. First of all, Christ having erected the banner of his cross, did triumph over sin: which could not be, unless the hand writing were cancelled, wherein we were bound. That hand writing is the law, which, whiles it standeth in force, maketh us debtors unto sin, & therefore is called the strength of sin. From the power therefore of this hand writing we are delivered in the body of Christ, whiles it is fastened to his cross.1 But the Apostle goeth further, namely, saying, that the bond of the law was loosed. Not that we should live according to our minds, as a widow woman is left to her own mind whiles she is a widow: but we are now bound to another husband: yea, from hand to hand (as they say) we are passed from the law unto Christ. In the mean while he mitigateth the austerity of the sentence, when he saith, that Christ delivered us from the yoke of the law, that he might graft us into his own body. For although Christ did voluntarily subject himself unto the law for a time, yet is it not meet the law should have dominion over him. Furthermore, that liberty which is proper to him, he communicateth also to his members. Therefore it is no marvel if he deliver those from the yoke of the law, whom he coupleth unto himself by a sacred connection, that they might be one body with him. His, who was raised from the dead, We have already said, that Christ is put in the place of the law, least any liberty should be imagined without him, or least any should dare to make a divorcement from the law,2 not being yet dead to himself. Now he useth this circumlocution to note the eternity of that life, which christ hath purchased by his resurrection: that Christians might know, this copulation is perpetual. Finally, he speaketh more clearly of the spiritual matrimony of Christ with his church, to the Ephe. That we might bring forth fruit to god. ⟨image 96⟩3He alway addeth the final cause, least any under this pretence, that Christ hath delivered us from the servitude of the law, should cocker the flesh and the lusts thereof, For he offered us with himself in sacrifice to the father, and to this end he regenerateth us,4